Suspect fails to steal off-duty police officer’s vehicle because he can’t drive manual: WPS

Winnipeg police say a man is in custody after allegedly failing to steal a vehicle that belonged to an off-duty officer during an attempted carjacking – all because the suspect couldn’t drive stick.

“It’s probably one of the best theft deterrent systems a vehicle can have: it had a manual transmission and the person who tried to make off with it couldn’t operate it,” said WPS Cst. Claude Chancy.

The incident occurred on Smith Street after 4 p.m. Tuesday. Police say it started after the suspect appeared to be in distress and flagged down the officer.

The suspect allegedly assaulted the officer and threatened to kill him. He then fled the scene after not being able to operate the vehicle.

According to WPS, three more off-duty officers were able to restrain the suspect and put him in handcuffs.

“This is a person that is over six-feet tall, over 260 pounds, so we’re not dealing with a small man here. So they had their hands full,” Chancy said.

A 27-year-old has been arrested in relation to the incident and faces a series of charges including robbery, assaulting a peace office, and failing to comply with probation order.

–With files from Edward Djan